The full training programmes for allergy last a minimum of seven years (ST1-ST7). Selection takes place before entry to ST1 (after the foundation programme) and again before entry to ST3. A significant proportion of the trainees in allergy are training less than full time.

There are two main training pathways at ST1 for allergy:

core medical training (CMT), which is a two-year programme

the acute care common stem in acute medicine (ACCS), which is a three-year programme

Programmes consist of four to six placements in medical specialties which must include direct involvement in acute medical ‘take’. Trainees record their workplace based assessments (WPBAs) in an ePortfolio which they continue to use in specialty training.

Applicants for specialty training at ST3 should also hold the full MRCP (UK). Not all applicants who meet the required standard to continue will necessarily be offered a post due to the level of competition.

Successful completion of specialty training (ST3-7) in allergy medicine will enable you to gain a Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT) and to be registered on the Specialist Register in allergy medicine.

consider becoming a student member of the BMA (the British Medical Association is the trade union and professional association for doctors and provides careers advice)

make your specialty decisions in good time so that you can test it out before commiting yourself, eg by using hospital visits and clinical placements arranged as part of your course to ask questions and observe people at work

choose the topic of your supervised research project carefully to test out your thinking

there is very little paediatric allergy training in undergraduate medicine but you should talk to as many people as you can who are working in allergy medicine

Foundation trainees Expand / Collapse

remember your first priority is to demonstrate that you have developed the personal, learning, clinical, practical and management skills needed by all doctors

talk to your clinical and educational supervisors about particular areas of interest to explore

use full placements to experience specialties that you might be interested in or apply for taster experiences if you can’t get a placement

don’t just look at the popular and more glamorous specialties when considering your career choice

talk with your peers about their career ideas and experiences – you may be able to help each other

listen to information and advice from more experienced doctors but make your own decisions

you must provisionally register with the GMC in year one of the Foundation Programme and become fully registered after successfully completing the first year

taking part in a clinical audit is important for your development as a doctor but you may be able to choose an audit project related to a specialty that interests you

ensure your Foundation e-portfolio has plenty of medical evidence and that this is kept properly up-to-date

try to gain teaching and management experience

look at competition ratios (ie the number of applicants to places) critically. Find out what is happening this year and spot any regional differences in competition ratios

read as much information as you can on the websites of relevant professional bodies

question your own perceptions and possible negative stereotypes of the specialty

impress interviewers by showing that your interest in the specialty is intrinsically motivated, ie you are drawn to the work and not just attracted by admiration of someone you have shadowed (You will also be happier in your career in that specialty many years later!)

be prepared to move to where the vacancies are

study for the examinations for the membership of your chosen Royal College

continue to develop your practical and academic expertise

undertake a research project

try to get some of your work published and present at national and international meetings

join or start a Journal Club (a group who meet to critically evaluate academic research)